ChaBanks

Busy and a Giveaway!

2010-07-29T01:30:00.000-04:00

Oh hey. I've been a little busy. But that's okay because I've made some really nice things the past couple of days. So, I thought I'd show you! Let's go.

Oh man, do I ever love this fabric. Poppy by Laura Gunn is one of my new favorites!

I found this vintage table cloth at an antique store here in Missouri. I love it. Will make a few nice bags. Apparently it has been reproduced over the years, but I'm pretty sure this is original.

I'm really loving this color combo too. Oranges, red, blacks, yellows. A good fall mix.

And the back of a cute Eiffel Tower pouch. The quilting is really fun.

My time is wrapping up in Missouri. I have a lot of amazing memories. And I made a lot of amazing bags. And to celebrate, I'm having a giveaway! Just head over to my facebook page and click like! That's all you have to do. If I can get 100 "likes" by August 10th, one of those "likers" will get a bag! How cool is that? Tell everyone!

Ta Ta,

Chantry

Ipad Cover...

2010-07-14T16:45:00.001-04:00

John over Quiltdad has a great tutorial for an Ipad cover. Now, I don't own one but I don't hold it against anyone who does. So, I made my friend KC one. She is forever bragging about it so I thought this might make the brag worthwhile. She likes different (weird) stuff, so I knew my lady fabric scraps would work. I kinda love it. Now look at me, bragging.

Front

Back

Flannel houndstooth for the lining.

Braggily,

Chantry

Green and Owl...

2010-07-13T21:02:00.003-04:00

I'm in love with this owl fabric. And in love with green today. So I made an owl bag with green, gray, and black. Kinda loving it.

Later,
Chantry

A Birthday Bag and Big Ass Bag

2010-07-11T19:50:00.001-04:00

My fabulous niece, Aubrey, has a big birthday coming up (number 5!) and my sister thought she would like a little purse for her day. She likes pink and sparkle. So this bag has it in spades. I've been playing with transfer paper for my labels so when I found this pretty pink and purple butterfly, I decided it would be a good centerpiece. I added her name and some rhinestones and we are set to go!

The back has some randomly placed sparkle too.

My friend Jack was tired of carrying things around in his grocery shopping bag so he gave me some Rt. 66 fabric to make a big ass bag for him. I love how it turned out. And I love the "location" of the shoot.

Chabanks label on a background of dog bones on the inside! It turned out really fabulous.

love love
Chantry

A couple of new bags and some labels...

2010-06-30T10:50:00.003-04:00

Or some labels and a couple of new bags. Since that's the order the photos went in. I'm still not too adept at blogging. But dammit, I try. Let's get down to business.

I'm really in love with my new labels. Sorry I'm bragging, but they are good! And they are bigger than I would normally make and I like the scale in the smaller bags. And fyi...I keep spelling "label" as "lable". I'm annoying myself this morning.

In making these labels, I let my finger hang over my ruler and my rotary cutter found out and decided to cut the tippy tip of my right index finger off. It hurts like a bitch. But the labels are nice.

Rt. 66 has been a theme for a couple of bags recently and I found this cute image of some gals in a car. So, naturally they go in the Rt. 66 bags only!

Or in bags that have nothing to do with Rt. 66. I love how I contradict myself in the same post. I'm crabby this morning.

Finally, a new bag. This post was getting too long.

And another. The end.

Fingerless and crabby in Missouri,

Chantry

Creating Labels...

2010-06-27T15:25:00.001-04:00

I saw a tutorial for making your own fabric labels at Patchwork Pottery and I decided I needed to make some. I found some great graphics from The Graphics Fairy. Add in Picnik and I have some new labels!!! I'm pretty happy.

Chantry

Get Your Kicks...

2010-06-26T11:04:00.002-04:00

My friends Jack and Denise traveled Route 66 together a few years and remains one of their favorite vacations together. So Jack asked me to surprise Denise with a little lunch bag of Rt. 66 goodness. He purchased the 66 fabric and red/white polka dot and I threw in some of my fabric as well. I'm so happy with the results. Even if I never thought I'd use Rt. 66 fabric on anything!

Front of bag. Button details and elastic closure at top. I used Oklahoma since I'm from there and I can do whatever I want when ChaBanks-ing it up.

Back of the bag. More button detail and fabrics reversed. I used Missouri because that's where we are all working this summer.

Close up of the front.

And this fabulous head cup/vase thing I bought at an antique store a few weeks ago. It is supposed to be a present for Bobby, but I had to use it.

From the Show Me State!

Chantry

(who has totally shown!)

Missouri?

2010-06-12T15:20:00.002-04:00

I just realized that I labeled my last post Lunch Bag and Missouri and then forgot to talk about Missouri. I'm a terrible editor. So today I am sharing some pics from a recent adventure. I would have more pictures from other recent adventures but I came all the way to Missouri with my camera but without the memory card. I had a great trip to Hannibal, MO. Home of Mark Twain and caves! Oh I wish I had my memory card then. But my friend Matt has let me borrow his until Bobby sends mine in a care package next week. Anywho....

Last week I drove to Jefferson City to see the capital, maybe one of the most beautiful capitals in the country. Built in 1918 with a big budget and 1 million just for the art. Astounding. Let's look some.

The capital. The dome is amazing inside and out.

Thomas Hart Benton is a favorite of mine and one chamber in the capital has a huge THB mural of the history of MO. Incredible

Another view

A really great fountain

And finally some antique/vintage ribbon at an incredible antique store in Perry, MO. Just unbelievable. Two amazing things about MO: Great fabric stores and great antique stores. Heaven. I love it here

Chantry

Lunch Bag...and Missouri

2010-06-09T20:47:00.000-04:00

My friend Denise asked to make a lunch bag for her sister to use at work. Why not? I'd never lunch bagged it before. I'd also never given a bottom or side to a tote bag, so this was a good way to experiment. The results were great. The finished bag is around 9 x 10 inches or so, maybe more, maybe less. I'm terrible at measurements. But this bag makes me so happy. Gives a little tingle in the all the right bag making places.

Miss you!
Chantry

Solid...

2010-04-29T19:44:00.009-04:00

Now... I love prints. I rarely work in solids, unless for an accent or border or lining or something like that. Well, I changed my mind yesterday.

I worked in solids! Crazy! And I love it.

And I decided to let my machine decide where the quilting lines go. I'm okay with that.

But I did work in some prints...for the lining. Sis Boom, you helped me out!

Doing one in red, pink, and gray right now. Let's see.
Chantry

Orange...

2010-04-28T16:56:00.001-04:00

Working on a new quilted back...in orange strips...here it is...not quite finished yet. I still have a lining and button to choose and put on.

Chantry

Kumato...

2010-04-24T17:37:00.001-04:00

At the produce market today...found Kumato...a type of tomato I guess from Europe and Canada. Gang, It is good. And beautiful. Great tomato flavor. Very meaty, holds up well. I am in love!

In a yummy tomato salad right now. Can't wait to top the Baguette with them!

xoxo

Chantry

Sewing Frenzy...

2010-04-22T23:41:00.005-04:00

A couple of new bags I just wrapped up tonight! My friend Grayson and I were discussing our love of gray and yellow today so I got inspired. Rushed to the fabric store and found some gray/black/yellows I liked. Quilted it in gray. Loves the results.

Front. This is the best button I own. Totally vintage, totally hot. It pained me to sew it on this bag. Just pained me. Oh, I love it.

Back.

Before quilting/bagging.

I just finished this green one too. I love it so much. Vintage button. fun scraps of fabrics.

Back. The lady fabric I got a couple of years ago in Oklahoma City. Kinda Mad Men-esque huh?

Hello!

Also, my friend John at Quilt Dad is celebrating a Blogiversary!!! He is having a great big giant giveaway and I offered one of my bags to giveaway. Get over there and enter to win!

Chantry

Green Quilt Square

2010-04-19T19:27:00.002-04:00

Maybe I've begun a new obsession. Maybe. Quilt square bags. Here's one I'm working on right at this very minute...

Chantry

Lately...

2010-04-18T15:26:00.004-04:00

Hey Gang,

Listen...what is wrong with me? I've let time get away from me with blogging. I've said it before..how do you blog and work and live and all that stuff? I'm terrible at it. But I'll give you a rundown on what's been going on...

1. I played a bear...Papa Bear to be clear. It was great fun! Super fun! And I love my Mrs. Garrett wig! Jazz Hands!

I also costumed a show for Playfest! at Orlando Shakes. It was fun too. No pics yet, but maybe soon.

And I've been sewing a lot lately. And my friend John at QuiltDad is celebrating his 2 year blogiversary and I told him I wanted to help with his giveaway. Look at what I made for him!

First pic after sewing my scraps together. All pinks and greens and yellows. I really like them.

Finished bag. All quilted and delish. With a vintage button.

The bag in back. I love it! Stay tuned to find out how you can win it!

love love

Chantry

What do you do...

2010-02-20T22:37:00.002-05:00

when you have a two hour lunch break, a fabulous scarf, and a sunny Florida day? You take ridiculous pictures. Mountains of them.

And then your friends Steve and Jeremy demand you take 3,000 photos of them in cutesy positions. And then you decided to never pull your camera out in front of "show people" again.

love love,

Chantry

Beth Bag...

2010-02-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

I have a dear friend...named Beth. We have performed in four shows together and she makes me laugh like nobody else. She is a funny gal. Well, I realized tonight that Beth does not have a ChaBanks bag. A crime! She needs one. So I made one.

Both fabrics are Michael Miller...the lower fabric is called Giraffe Garden. I don't have the name of the red/turquoise stripe. I guess I went on a MM shopping spree last time I bought fabric. But really, what's not to love. I hope Beth loves it.

love love

Chantry

Domestic Goddess...

2010-02-19T20:38:00.002-05:00

I'm not wanting to set the women's rights movement back 50 or 60 years, but I do so wish I was a housewife. There I said it. No offense to you fabulous working women. God, I love you! But I want to stay at home and take care of my man...

That is not really 100% true. I mean it. I love what I do. Being an actor/stitcher/designer is pretty fabulous, but I would not mind one bit staying home and cooking, cleaning (not), and sewing. Enough of this bull***t. Let us get to what I did this evening.

Bobby has a job interview next week and we are really excited about it. We went shopping last evening to find a cutesy interview outfit. To the mall!!! He found some great gray slacks and a pretty purple dress shirt. I won't lie. I kinda picked it out. I like it when Bobby let's me pretend I'm Rachel Zoe.

Anyway, the pants in his size were too long. No problem. The last couple of plays I stitched on were full of tailoring for men. I'm not much of a menswear guy. But I am now. I tailored my little heart out. If you ever need a frock coat, call me.

Tonight I hemmed Bobby's new pants. I kinda love hand stitching. Especially when it is a cross stitch on a hem. My stitches are getting better and better.

Bobby is off getting a new tattoo right now. He'll see the pants when he gets back. Anything for my man. (give me a break...)

love love

Chantry

Owls...

2010-02-19T18:56:00.004-05:00

I made a tote bag/clutchy pouch combo recently and it was snatched out of my hands while the needle was still smoking on my machine. (my lady friend Barb bought it. i can't hate her for having great taste.) But I made it out of this super fabulous fabric.

It is called "Owl by Myself" from Michael Miller. The Owls are pretty huge...I'd say 5 or 6 inches in height and really widely spaced. Modern and fun. The eyes are bright green. I'm not lying. It was fabulous.

This is what I used for the lining, straps, and for about 5 inches on the bottom of the bag. It is Michael Miller also, called Surf. I wish wish wish wish I had a pic of this thing but Barb NEEDED that bag!

Love love,

Chantry

I've been away...again...

2010-02-17T23:40:00.003-05:00

Sorry!!!!

As you can see, I've been a bit busy.

Number One: I grew my hair out! Don't you love it?

Number Two: Me and my hair tried to save the space program, but the President wasn't having it. Sorry America.

But for reals...I'm really sorry you 3 or 4 readers that I have let down. I wish I was one of those bloggers that wasn't lazy. But I'm not. I'm lazy.

And I've been sewing sewing sewing sewing...

and now acting acting acting...

I've sewn some beautiful costumes for Hamlet and All's Well that Ends Well...

and now I'm playing Papa Bear in the Berenstain Bears on Stage.

I love you all...more soon!

Chantry

Almost Christmas...

2009-12-23T22:05:00.004-05:00

I haven't blogged in over a month...wtf? I have some amazing friends who manage to blog and continue with their busy lives, but I can't seem to grasp it. I opened and closed a show and began work in a costume shop building costumes for some fabulous Shakespeare: Hamlet and All's Well that Ends Well. That is where I have been.

I helped Donna decorate her giant tree the other night. Now, I haven't seen my mom's tree yet, but Donna's is one of the more beautiful trees I have helped decorate. It is stunning. Here I am pretending to decorate it.

Trust me, it is fab.

I have most of the shopping done. Well, I think I have it all done! I went to the mall today and nearly died in Macy's (after getting hit on, I think). I hope Bobby likes his presents. A lot of people are getting homemade gifts. And I've been seeing those Ebay commercials that tell you that homemade gifts stink. Do they? I'm nervous now. I think the ChaBanks gifts are delicious. I hope the recipients do too. Donna is getting something that I wish I had myself. I'm glad she and I have similar tastes.

I'm flying to Oklahoma on Christmas evening! Bobby was in NY last Christmas so this will be our first Christmas together. I hope there is a lot of egg nog involved!

Happy Holidays!

Chantry

Festival of Trees...

2009-11-20T15:29:00.004-05:00

Yesterday Bobby and I took Donna to the Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art. It is an annual fundraiser for the museum and a pretty good one too. The theme for this year was something akin to Recycle, Reduse, Reuse, Rejoice! or something along those lines. Most of the trees were pretty fab. But there were some real stinkers too. Fortunately for you, I didn't take any stinker pictures. Or unfortunately, if you like looking at bad design. And I forgot my camera, so I stole Bobby's Iphone and went to town. Following are some of the trees I liked.

This one was okay, I just really loved the big topper on it. I'm a sucker for a huge tree topper. A sucker.

I'm also a sucker for peacocks stuck on top of a tree. A sucker.

This was most traditional and I love the big Santa head. I'm a sucker for big Santa heads. A sucker.

Well, this one actually used the theme of recycling. One of the few that did. Unless you want to count the tree decorated with Home Depot things...not decorations from the Depot, but tools and aprons and the like. This tree was decorated with cut up and painted soda bottles. It was fabulous. And it was designed by elementary school kids. I love that. Chihuly-esque.

This was a Paris tree...now I don't love love love the stuffed poodles on it, but I do love love love a white tree with pink and silver decorations.

Bobby informed me that he hated these colors together, which is strange because blue and orange have been my color scheme for a couple of years. Thanks Bobby.

But this, oh this! It was fabulous. I wish I had taken a full length. It was grapevine sticking out all over with these frosted berries and those birds. It was heaven. Donna and I both loved it best.

And sorry for posting Christmas trees a little early. I just opened my new show, "Dear Santa" at The Rep and have been in the spirit for a couple of weeks.

Happy Early Decorating!

Chantry

Here I am...

2009-11-01T22:06:00.001-05:00

I was a bride for Halloween. Here is a pic. Enjoy. Am slightly hungover today. Oh well. I looked pretty.

May all your bridal fantasies come true.

Chantry.

Birdie Bag...

2009-10-30T14:22:00.002-04:00

So, I really really hate date stamps on my photos. I'm apologizing to you now because I forgot to turn off the date stamp on this new camera. Well, not new camera, but an old one my mom sent after my good camera broke.

Now that that is out of the way...here is a new bag! I'm feeling a little more motivated lately to do some sewing. And I'm going to do some more once this post is finished and I have put the dishes away. I might be sewing as you are reading this!!! Crazy.

Bobby bought me a little surprise a couple of weeks ago at Ikea. I love their fabrics and this one is my new all time favorite fabric. I love that is quite durable and makes for good tote-sy goodness.

There are several large panels of this bird and squirrel. I don't get it either, but it is cute.

The back. of the bag is the same fabric. I love when there are several designs on one panel. The lining is pink/green/black stripes. The handles are made with the same fabric as the lining and some just plain ole pink to change it up a bit. Well, not by choice. I didn't have enough of the stripe to make the super wide handles I wanted so I sewed it to the pink. It worked out just fine.

Happy Haunting!

Chantry.

Halloween Goodies...

2009-10-26T22:08:00.002-04:00

My sister, Trista, sent me the greatest pictures today of my niece and nephew and I wanted to share. My niece decided she wanted to be Batman this year and the only natural choice was for my nephew to be Robin. Man, they are cute.

Of course, as cute as this picture is, the first thing my brain registers when I open it up is, "Damn. My sister needs to water that yellow mum. Look how droopy it is." Forget the beautiful babies and their adorable costumes and cute pumpkins. Find the only thing to criticize in the whole picture. I'm an ass.

Chantry.

Pumpkin Carving...

2009-10-21T00:45:00.004-04:00

So the weather dipped below 1,000 degrees here in Florida so we have to celebrate. It means fall is here (or visiting for a second or too)! What do you do when fall gets here? Well, you go to Donna and Jason's, have supper, drink some pumpkin beer, and start to carving those danged ole pumpkins. Its okay, I heard them talking about you behind your back. Stab away! This is just a promo shot of what the pumpkins were doing before we killed them. I don't have any pics yet of the after-glow. Thanks to Donna for the picture!

It was fun! And not too cold. So, from left to right, I introduce my Florida family: Jason, Val, Christine, Oscar the dog, Bobby, and me.

And I'm not even going to mention that Bobby stabbed me in the finger with the carving tool. Not going to mention it at all. And I'm not going to mention either that for some crazy reason, Val has now become the favorite of Donna and Jason. I can't figure it out either. I mean look at me! I'm the cutest person at the table, after Oscar the dog.

Happy Carving!

Chantry

And I'm back...

2009-10-19T20:33:00.003-04:00

Oh my gawd...has it really been over a month since I last posted??? Well, yes it has. I'm sorry to you 5 or so readers who have come to depend on my insight and thoughts of the world at large. I've been busy...but mostly lazy. But I do have a show open right now and it just wipes me out. "How I Became a Pirate" is fun fun fun and not to brag...but I did just get my first mention in a review in the big city paper here. And it was good! So, I feel pretty happy.

That's me in the lower left. And let me tell you...green and orange are not colors I normally wear. But I look good on stage! Maybe pirate couture is my new look.

Speaking of costumes, Bobby and I are still trying to figure out what to do for Halloween. I want to be "The Two Fridas." He wants to be iconic downtown Orlando buildings. I don't think either of them are going to work out. I refuse to be a building. Refuse.

Bobby's 26th birthday came and went and it was loads of fun. A big thanks to Donna and Jason for a delish birthday dinner. And thanks to the Shannon and several others for making the birthday boy absolutely fall down happy at the bar. It was fun!!!!

Missed you,

Chantry

Sequins...

2009-09-10T22:20:00.004-04:00

One of the perks of working in a costume shop is being surrounded by lots and lots of fabric. Lots. An even bigger perk of working in a costume shop is sometimes getting to take some scraps of fabric home. I'm pretty stoked about these scraps. I'm a bit obsessed with sequins. I've never purchased sequin fabric or had it in my possession, until today. Grayson, the shop manager, let me have these scraps of fabric. She makes me happy.

The blue is great and so is the gold, but we both really love the green. It is not really done any justice in this picture, but it is really pretty. I'm gonna try and make a pouch out of it. So maybe the pouch will become an evening pouch. Or a gaudy pouch. Or a drag queen pouch. Probably the latter.

In other news, the big gay yard sale is this weekend. Big and gay pretty much equals amazing! Come visit us on Saturday!

Chantry

Please Forgive Me...

2009-09-07T23:15:00.004-04:00

For not blogging for over a week! What's been going on? Well, I've been working a lot. I know, I know, millions of people work 40 hour weeks and still blog like 20 times a day...how do you do it? I think you are great. I know maybe a few of you like reading my blog and like what I have to share. So I apologize to you. On with the blog...

Since I missed Sunday Stash this last Sunday, I'm adding it right now. I got these lemons today and I really love them. I guess I'm on a fruit kick. No "fruit for the fruity blogger" jokes please. I guess I should have rotated the picture. But I didn't.

Below are some bags in progress. This first one I'm making from an old pillow I got tired of having in the living room. There was just a little too much orange. I was going to put it in the yard sale (this Saturday!) but Bobby and Tim thought it might make a good bag. I guess they were right. I'm loving it. It's giant and sturdy.

This is some fun piecing with some heart applique. My mom sent these a long time ago and I just put them into the mix. I'm liking the direction.

This bag is made from scraps from a show I worked on last season. It was at Orlando Shakes, so I'm making this bag for Denise, who runs the costume shop there. It is different for me to work with something besides cotton, but it is fun. I'm liking where this is going too.

Here is where the majority of my sewing has gone. This is an adorable sheep costume for Charlotte's Web. It was super fun to make, although the fake fur is a little difficult to sew.

I'll be a better blogger, I promise. Or you can spank me.

Chantry

Sunday Stash #4

2009-08-29T23:16:00.004-04:00

You may or may not know that I recently received a giant box of sample fabrics. Well, there are so many wonderful fabrics that it makes my head swim. These are probably my very favorite though. I love food/fruit/vegetable themed fabrics and these are just great! And I love all the different colors too. I think these will make a really great pieced tote bag.

This tangerine color is probably my favorite. And these pears just add to my polka dot obsession. I love the pears that are outlines with dots inside. Wonderful!

Happy Sunday Stashing!

Chantry

Time for some new bags...

2009-08-27T16:51:00.003-04:00

I finally got the bags finished for a client in Oklahoma. I love how they all came out. I hope she enjoys them as much as I do.

I've never been a big polka dot person, but lately, I've been a tiny bit obsessed. I've made a couple of different bags (in different combos) of the red, black, and white dots. The lining is giant red dots. I love it. And the clothes and pattern pieces fabric, I adore. I wish I had yards and yards of it. I would make everything out of it. I would recover all my furniture in it. But fortunately for Bobby and Tim, I don't have much more.

I still have a bit of the great great zig zag fabric so I made a pouch out of it. The button on it is one of my faves. The floral and orange fabrics look so great together. I love this combination. And the button...tiny little flower clusters. Heaven.

I finally finished Donna's second bag that she requested and I'm in love. It is lots of scraps and an old feed sack that mom sent. I have no idea what a bathing beauty has to do with chick feed, but it is super cute.

Here is the back. "Big C" is the name of the feed I suppose. The sack was in great shape and I'm happy that it turned out so well.

I think I'm going to do a giveaway soon of a tote or pouch or both. Doesn't that sound fun?

I haven't been sewing too much at home because I am right in the thick of sewing a sheep costume for "Charlotte's Web" at the Rep. It is super fun in that costume shop. I made them listen to "Gypsy" today. Or really, I made them listen to me sing along to the show. Sue me.

Take Care,

Chantry

Beginning Simply...

2009-08-27T12:59:00.003-04:00

So, I began my first quilt. It is very simple. Batik blocks with white stripes. It is baby blanket size and I think it is going to be for my nephew. I'm really happy so far. The back is going to be white with another row of blocks.

I just received a whole box of fabric samples from the costume shop where I work. These blocks came from it. There are some other fun blocks in the stash that I can't wait to use.

In other news, my fabulous camera that went missing and then was found has now decided to not work. I'm so frustrated. Oh well. I found my old camera so we'll see how it does.

Chantry

Sunday Stash #3

2009-08-23T12:30:00.003-04:00

Well, I forgot to do Sunday Stash last week...mostly because I couldn't find my camera. Well, after I did find my camera, it isn't working!! What??? I know. I'm devastated. So here, is an old pic that I've posted before, but not for Sunday Stash. So it doesn't count. Right?

I love this fabric. Of course, you know, I never write down who the designer is and what the fabric is called. So if you know who it is, let me know! Have a great Sunday.

Chantry

Um...

2009-08-20T23:08:00.001-04:00

I've lost my camera. Have you seen it? I have so many great things to take pictures of. But where is it? Where are you, camera?

UPDATE!!!! I found it. We can all sleep a little more soundly tonight. What? You haven't lost sleep over my lost camera? Oh.

A Blog About Bobby...

2009-08-18T18:21:00.002-04:00

Or a Bobby Blog. Or a Blobby. Let's call this a Blobby.

So, Bobby is in New York this week with Donna and Jason visiting family. Am I jealous? Yes. Do I want to go? Yes. Does Bobby sends tons of pics from his phone to ensure said jealousy? Yes. Has Donna been complaining that I haven't updated my blog in some time? Yes. (At least someone complains and wants to know about every minor detail in my life.)

So, in honor of my family being in New York, I present pictures from Bobby's travels.

Here they are: Very out of order, but this blog isn't about me, so I don't really care.

I believe this is at Sunset Rock or Mountain or something of the like in upstate New York. It isn't too far from where Jason's mom and dad live. Hi Ellen and Mike! But this is a pretty waterfall.

The family attended mass at this church on Sunday. How beautiful is it? I honestly can't tell you anything about it except it is old and there was birthday cake that day made my nuns...um...I want birthday cake made by nuns. I want anything made by nuns! I love nuns. But really, I love the nuns from "The Sound of Music," "The Flying Nun," and "Sister Act."

Here is a view of Manhattan from the ship Intrepid. Bobby's grandpa was on a ship similar to this one during the war. Or this is the information I have. But this is basically all Bobby saw of NYC on his first visit ever. He was pretty steamed about that, but come on, I'll take him one day and we won't get on any ships.

Here's the food section. Bobby and I were eating baby carrots one day and I noticed that the bag said "baby shaped carrots." So I really wasn't eating baby carrots at all. Just adult carrots that were whittled down to look like babies. I don't like that. So, Bobby had some real baby carrots the other night and took a pic for evidence. That really got me steamed. He gets to have all the fun.

And...this is Baba Louie's in Hudson. My blog buddy Jean Martha has talked about this place a few times and I said go there if you get a chance, Bobby!!! Well, they went today and apparently it was like walking into heaven and then eating heaven. Am I steamed? You bet I am.

So there you go. A Blobby for Bobby. I do it out of love though. Tomorrow marks our ONE year anniversary of bliss. Bliss that is living in sin bliss. Bliss that probably won't be allowed to make it legal for some time. But he is wonderful. I wish I could put a ring on his finger, strap on a big white dress, walk down the aisle, and then unwrap the thousands of gifts that I register for. But that's not happening anytime soon. Someday.

Have a good day!

Chantry

I'm a bit of a pill...

2009-08-12T23:39:00.003-04:00

I have a bit of an ego. There I said it. Some might say my ego is a bit more than a bit, but don't listen to them, please. So, as some of you may know, Thomas Thorspecken spent an amazing amount of time visiting "WOTW" rehearsals and doing amazing water colors of the process. At the closing night party I bitched to Thomas that I wasn't featured enough on his blog. Well, he did good! He wrote a whole post about me! And my ego is a bit bigger than I might have led you to believe. But Thomas, that stinker, wrote lovely things about me while at the same time managing to be a bit snarky. This is why I love, love, love him. He truly made my day.

That's me knitting.

In other news, I started work today at the costume shop. I'm super happy.

Chantry

Bargain Books...

2009-08-11T16:26:00.002-04:00

I went to a used book store yesterday to just pick around and I found a couple of bargains. Since I am now obsessed with quilts and quilting, I found some cool books.

The book in the back is "America's Glorious Quilts" and is really fabulous. It was published in the 80s and was originally priced at $75. I got it for 7 dollars. Steal! "The Ultimate Quilting Book" is similar but has instructions and techniques in it. It cost me $6. Happy day.

I'm obsessed with tumbling blocks. Just obsessed. How amazing is this?

Chantry

Closed...

2009-08-09T20:24:00.003-04:00

"War of the Worlds" closed today. It is always a little sad to close a show...any show. I ended up having a great time on this one. It was a collaborative effort and a good one at that. The process was a challenge, but I feel like I've learned. And that is always good.

I begin work at a costume shop tomorrow helping make costumes for "Charlotte's Web."

And more good news...all those callbacks I've been going to??? I booked all three shows! Contracts are signed and I begin rehearsing in September. I'm thrilled.

Below are a couple of shots of me from "WOTW." Enjoy the moodiness of it all.

Chantry

Sunday Stash #2

2009-08-09T12:34:00.005-04:00

I love these two fabrics together...they are my next bag.

Chantry

At the Springs...

2009-08-06T15:46:00.003-04:00

A big giant group of us went to Wekiva Springs yesterday for some canoeing and swimming. Um, we canoed forever and ever. and I bitched and bitched...I was cranky. To the big giant group, I apologize. But after lunch I was much happier and ready to jump in the freezing cold spring. It was so much fun. Watching people dive down deep into the boil of the spring was fascinating. Did I go down? Of course not. I'm not crazy.

The Bobs and me after a full (or fool) day at the springs...you can see the clear water behind us.

This butterfly stopped by to say hi.

This is where we spent the day. The water was so cold and felt so nice! Especially on my sun burn.

Chantry

Well I love Annie Lennox

2009-08-04T16:36:00.001-04:00

And I think this mashup is pretty awesome...my friend David played it last night at his semi-famous Musical Mondays and I just loved it. So I wanted to share today.
Chantry

Finished tote...

2009-08-03T15:16:00.002-04:00

I finished this bag a couple of weeks ago...just now taking pics...on a cloudy day. I had no choice, it is cloudy every afternoon here. I can here the thunder rumbling now.

This bag is made of Mary Engelbreit fabric and a vintage dish towel my mom sent home with me. The colors match perfectly! I love when that happens.

The towel is off center and I really love how it turned out. And I did do that on purpose! For once.

Here is a closeup of the towel section. It says silver and it has a fun family trying to hit each other with the precious family silver. Maybe Bobby and I will hit each other with my flatware tonight. The yellow is so vibrant and I top stitched about the towel with yellow thread. I'm pretty proud of that one.

Chantry.

ps...that big callback is today. The play is called Dear Santa. I don't think I'm called back for Santa...or at least I hope I'm not.

Finally some finished bags...

2009-08-02T16:49:00.003-04:00

Here they are! I've had them done for a while but was lazy in getting them photographed.

Great fabrics, vintage buttons.

I love love love this fabric!

Well, if you like dots, you'll love this one. the lining is another red and black polka dot. Even smaller. So you start big, get smaller, and then find the smallest inside. I couldn't help myself.

Chantry

ps. I have another callback tomorrow! Wish me luck.

Sunday Stash #1...

2009-08-02T15:02:00.003-04:00

This is love birds by Jay McCarroll.

I just joined Sunday Stash! If you would like to as well, go here

Happy Sunday!

Saturday at the Nursery...

2009-07-26T22:04:00.004-04:00

This past week has been pretty wonderful. Donna (Bobby's mom/my future mother-in-law) celebrated a wonderful birthday on Thursday. We cooked out and celebrated with her. On Friday, Bobby and I headed back up to Donna and Jason's house for a weekend sleepover. I had Saturday off from rehearsal, so we all pitched in and made a wonderful meal. And it was vegetarian! Bobby and I are eating vegetarian at the moment. I don't have any big reason for it, we just sort of fell into it. Anyway...

Saturday morning Donna, Bobby, and I got up (Jason made French toast!) and headed over to South Seminole Farm and Nursery in Casselberry for an organic gardening class. It was wonderful to be at the nursery on a clear, not too hot morning with family. Here are some pics I took there.

This is a Seminole Pumpkin. It is one of the few pumpkins that grows really well down in Florida. It was discovered growing in the Everglades hundreds of years ago. And rumor has it that it is quite tasty. I got some free seeds so I'm gonna plant them and enjoy!

Don't you love/Aren't you jealous that pineapple yummily grows in Florida? Who needs Hawaii? Well, I do. I haven't been yet so I actually do need that great state to hang around. But look at these pineapple plants...aren't they cool????

I don't remember the name but I love the blooms and the wide leaves.

I'm terrible about writing down names of things...so I don't remember what this is either. But you might. Let me know if know. I get distracted by pretty things.

Chantry

p.s. I really do have some pics of bags coming up...I do need to write a sewing post tomorrow. I promise I will

War of the Worlds Photos...

2009-07-18T19:21:00.002-04:00

Well, not real photos, but watercolors that capture our rehearsals better than any photo could. The artist is Thomas Thorspecken and he has a great website. I beg you to check it out. And I have never been captured in watercolor before so of course it is kinda exciting.

This was the first day of rehearsal. I'm on the far left (in case you wondered what I look like in watercolor.) Isn't Thomas such a cool artist.

We were doing ViewPoints in this picture. I'm the chubby one in the middle.

This is a little discussion time. Again, I'm on the left. My tummy is hanging out. I love that Thomas won't cut me a break and leave out my chub! Thanks Thomas!

Chantry

p.s. I've got some WIP's to take some pictures of for you. Soon! I promise!

p.p.s. Rhoda is now on Hulu! How do you not love this show?

I love...

2009-07-10T11:49:00.002-04:00

My Jay McCarroll that just came in the mail. I have some of the Garden Friends line: the rabbits, the birds, and a zig-zag...pictures coming up! But in the meantime, go to FreeSpirit's site to see it.

Chantry

I'm doing a show...

2009-07-07T11:57:00.003-04:00

It is called "War of the Worlds." You may have heard of it at some point in your life. But it is not typical. It is the radio show...but we're also devising different scenes around the show. Like the public reaction and things like that. I'm also sore from doing Viewpoints. I need to warm up more. Look up Viewpoints if you are interested. It is really fab. I also have a callback in a couple of hours for "How I Became a Pirate." Wish me luck

Chantry

Some new fabric...

2009-07-06T16:08:00.002-04:00

Just showing you some pics...I love them all. I can't wait.

Yeah, okay...I didn't iron them after coming out of the dryer. Sue me.

Chantry

Another Obsession...

2009-07-06T15:12:00.004-04:00

I don't know if I've ever mentioned my obsession with beadwork. Specifically, Indian (or Native American) beadwork. Truly, totally obsessed. So, when Bobby and I hit up the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, I was dying from all the beadwork. So I took some pictures for you. I hope you love it as much as I do.

This is all contemporary beadwork and it is all fabulous. Seriously? Teeny, tiny seed beads? How amazing is it?

Here is a close shot of the beadwork. I mean look at it! Teeny tiny...I wasn't kidding. And of course, pictures cannot do it justice. Man, I love it!

This is fabulous too. It just makes me want to do beadwork.

This isn't beadwork, but antique embroidery. It is from the late 1800s and it was so beautiful.

I just wanted to share it all.

Chantry

ps...I promise there will be some sewing stuff on here soon!

Headed home...

2009-07-02T09:19:00.001-04:00

Back to Florida and all things tropical. Am finished with work/vacation here in the great state of Oklahoma. Bobby flew up a couple of days ago and we are about to hit the road together. I'm thrilled. Happy Travels

Chantry

I haven't been sewing...

2009-06-26T12:16:00.003-04:00

but I have been taking a lot of pictures. I pretend to be some sort of photographer...but it is really, really, really hard to pretend when the only camera you own is a Nikon Coolpix...I know right? BUT...you can do amazing stuff on Picnik. It makes you look like you might have some talent and some cool equipment...two things I have none of. But here are some pictures I've modified. Have a good day!

Cyanotype...

2009-06-21T22:57:00.004-04:00

So, the photography kids are amazing. They took a bed sheet and dipped in cyanotype chemicals and then put all sorts of cool stuff on it, including themselves.

This is the kids doing their thing. Wherever they put stuff or themselves will stay white/light. Where the sun hits will turn blue.

See! Isn't it amazing! I'm desperate to do this to some fabric. So amazing.

Oh, I also hosted the talent show today. I thought I looked kinda cute in a hat. So I shared.

Chantry

Happy Father's Day...

2009-06-21T15:01:00.001-04:00

I love you, Dad.

I'm totes into it...

2009-06-18T11:15:00.003-04:00

You've seen maybe one of these before...but I love the new pics I took yesterday. This rooster bag is one of my favorites I have ever made. It is vintage French linen and vintage plaid cotton. The handle and lining are made of new blue broadcloth.

I didn't have enough of either for the back, so I made strips of both and I'm so pleased with the outcome.

This one is made with paper piecing. Some great Sis Boom fabrics. I really love this.

This was an on sale fabric and I didn't know if I would like it or not. But I love it!!! The lining and handle are a super cute polka dot. All in all...I'm happy.

How are you doing?

Chantry

Sewing at Quartz...

2009-06-17T22:54:00.004-04:00

Well, I have been doing a little sewing in my few minutes of free time here at Quartz Mountain. I am totally inspired, let me tell you. Nothing beats being around 265 incredibly talented high school students. The orchestra played a sneak peak tonight and I'm so excited!

While I was in Van Buren I bought some fat quarters of Sandi Henderson Farmer's Market Apple Dot in Spring and Pink. I love them! I did some strips for the outside top of the bag and the solid pink for the outside bottom. I did Spring for the inside lining. I'm so happy how it came out!

Front and back...the button is vintage too!

Here are some bags that have been photographed before...but the light is so great here that I photographed them again. And I think my friend Jason...the photography liaison...will take more shots tomorrow! I love the arts!!!

So, this gal is kinda fun! I didn't even mean to line up the pattern...but somehow it did! Lucky me! And I experimented with the edge of the bag...I zig-zagged like 40 times around the edge in different threads to see what it would look like...and I'm pretty happy!

Sorry, I'm not posting more, but managing the arts is a full time job! I'm counselor coordinator here at OSAI and I couldn't have asked for a better group! Take care

Chantry

Driving to Quartz...

2009-06-10T20:14:00.003-04:00

I finally got to Quartz Mountain on Monday...and all the memories came rushing back. It is my fourth summer here and it is just as beautiful as I remember. Out of the plains rise these old granite mountains (actually hills, but who's counting?) and you can see them from miles and miles away. This chain of mountains is among the oldest in the U.S. and I can only imagine their splendor when young. The color is a lovely red/pink color with bits of green for good measure.

I always come in the back entrance when coming from Elk City. And I always see the sheer face of this guy. I will climb it someday....but not today...or tomorrow.

It is wheat harvest and I usually miss seeing the combines doing their job...maybe I'm here early or harvest started later...I don't know...but I was excited to them working

So the title song from "Oklahoma" sings about waving wheat sure smelling sweet and later in the song we sing about watching a hawk making lazy circles in the sky. Well, how fitting this photo has waving wheat AND a hawk! He wasn't acting too lazy though...I'm sure he was looking for food behind that combine. I'm happy to be home.

P.S. I swear I didn't rig this, because I had my ipod on shuffle...as I was crossing the state line from Arkansas to Oklahoma..."The Surrey with the Fringe on the Top" started playing. And if you don't know...that's a song from the musical "Oklahoma." It made me feel like I was supposed to be here.

Chantry

Home in Oklahoma...

2009-06-06T14:42:00.005-04:00

I finally made it to Elk City last night around 10. It was a long trip! I drove 17 hours the first day (to Conway, AR) and about 12 the next day. It really isn't that long of a trip, but I can't help but stop all the time. Of those 29 hours...about 4 were spent actually driving. I stop too much. But I stopped in Van Buren, AR yesterday because I wanted to stop at a fabric store I had found on the internet. It is called Main Street Fabrics and it is really wonderful. A friendly and helpful staff and lots and lots of great fabrics! They had some really fab stuff....I bought a few fat quarters and am definitely going back on the way home. If you've never been to Van Buren, check it out. Super charming and I loved it.

This is Main Street Fabrics in downtown Van Buren, AR. How cute is the building?

A corner bank building downtown Van Buren. I really am obsessed with this building. This picture does not do it justice.

I also stopped at Sequoyah's home site north of Sallisaw, OK. Sequoyah was a Cherokee and was responsible for turning the oral Cherokee language into a written language. What a genius! Here is more info. about Sequoyah. The cabin his family lived in is tiny!!! In the 1930s, the WPA built a house around the cabin to protect it. I love the WPA! It was such an informative place and offered lots of insight into the Trail of Tears, a disgusting time in our nation's history. If you are not familiar with the Trail of Tears...do some research. It was not a bright shining moment for the U.S., probably more like one our dullest moments.

On a lighter note...all sorts of artifacts are on display at the cabin...including some fabric! Exciting.
This is Sequoyah's spinning wheel. It was really beautiful...and I wanted to climb over the barrier and play with it...but I didn't.

This is some gingham homespun made at the Dwight Mission School in the 1840s. Yeah, the 1840s! How awesome is that.

Here is a closeup of the gingham...I really love love love it!

This beadwork was also done at Dwight Mission...It was really really stunning. Oh man, I wanted to break the case and take it home with me. But I didn't so don't call the cops, okay.

I was gonna show you the fat quarters I bought yesterday, but I left them at my sister's house. So I'll show you a fat baby instead. I met my nephew yesterday. He is a big bowl of sugar drizzled with honey. I love him.

Where I'm headed...

2009-06-02T15:01:00.001-04:00

So, I'm leaving thursday and heading to Oklahoma for a few weeks. I'll be working at one of the greatest places on the planet...Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain. Seriously, the most talented high schoolers I have ever seen. I can't wait to go work, play, inspire, be inspired and all that. It will be my fourth year there. I'm so freakin' excited.

Only part of the view...jealous? No? Oh, okay.

Chantry

Tagging...

2009-05-31T13:39:00.002-04:00

I've been experimenting with tagging my bags and I knew that I wanted to use the logo. So I did. What do you think?

Chantry

New Bags...

2009-05-30T17:37:00.004-04:00

I haven't made a bag in a while...so I did today. I made three clutches (or pouches as some call them) and I'm pretty happy with the results. No buttons yet because it takes me FOREVER to pick a button that fits. There are two reasons for that: 1. I have too many choices with my buttons, 2. I have a super hard time parting with my buttons. It mostly because I hate parting with them though. Anyway...

Two of the bags are the same fabric...I just flipped the pattern on the fabric so it runs in opposite directions. The third is some cute fruit fabric I picked a while ago and had some leftovers.

This is the lining of one of the bags. It is vintage floral fabric. I love mixing new and vintage. So I do.

Here is some vintage butterfly fabric I used in the other bag. I love it too.

One of these bags is going up north soon...but I can't decide which one. Hmmmm....

Chantry

Back to sewing...

2009-05-29T16:51:00.002-04:00

Well, I haven't sewn in a week or so...maybe less, maybe not...but I got back in the mix today and created a pad for Bobby's fixed-gear...or bike...or the other woman in his life...He's been working so hard on it...making it his own and the like. I wanted to create something special for the bike so I made a "crotch cushion" or as Bobby calls it...The Rad Pad. I really love how it turned out.

I made it using my new favorite method...paper piecing. The finished size is roughly 8" by 13" but next time I'll add a half inch to each. The "pad" or "cushion" part is insulating foam that goes around copper tubing...I got it for a buck fifty at the Habitat store. I'm super happy.

I zig-zagged around the edges and at each seam. I think next time I will add some batting to make it really quilt like. What do you think??? Let me know

Chantry

My Niece and Nephew...

2009-05-28T02:27:00.003-04:00

I don't get to see them enough...in fact I haven't even met the new turkey yet. I'm going to soon though and my heart starts thumping every time I think of seeing them. Aub is almost 4 and just like her Bubba Chant...Turkey is a few months old and already as big as Aub...oh I can't wait to see them!!!!!!

I love this pic of Aub...and she has a sweater that I wore when I was young and thin and gorgeous...yeah, I don't remember that time period either.

This is that smiling Turkey I haven't met yet...isn't he adorable though???? He makes me melt. But this pic does look like his daddy is giving him a little tweak...which is a little weird. But look at that face...I'm dying

Chantry

More Memorial Weekend Fun...

2009-05-27T17:53:00.004-04:00

Well, we finally made it back to Orlando yesterday afternoon after a long weekend in south and southwest Florida...after Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Wilton Manors we headed across the everglades to head up the Gulf Coast. It was an amazing trip...and it was the first time Bobby and I have done a real vacation together. Roommate Tim was our buffer. It worked out pretty well. Here are some random pics from Miami Beach...which was insanely crowded...of course let's go to one of the most popular beaches in the world on Memorial weekend. It was insane! We didn't get to see much of South Beach at all...and all I wanted was to see the art deco! But there was some on North Beach too....like this gem.

Actually, this place was extremely rundown. It was beyond "Grey Gardens" fabulous...complete with a backyard/empty pool full of cats. I'm not kidding. We thought it was an empty building, but on closer inspection, we discovered it was occupied! With Little Edie style residents. I was in heaven.
Here is Bobby on the boardwalk with the beautiful Atlantic behind him...I've never been much impressed with the Ocean...never thought it that pretty...until we got down here! It is so green/blue and wonderful! I loved it!

We were driving back to the mainland from Miami Beach at sunset and Bobby took this great picture of downtown. This is after we got busted trying to drive into the fancy pantsy island full of celeb mansions. But we got stopped and pretended we were lost. We weren't fooling anyone.

These are my inspiration pics...

How much do you love this lifeguard stand? I love the color combo and think I need to make a bag with these colors! I freakin' love it.

And I love love the color combo of the blue/green and sand colors...totally needs to be a bag of some kind.

Chantry

Miami, days 1 and 2...

2009-05-23T13:49:00.003-04:00

So we left Orlando yesterday morning around 11 and headed for all things Miami!!! Actually, Bobby is down here getting some continuing education credits so he can be up to date on his therapy license. Well, I tagged along and then Roommate Tim decided to tag along too! It might get a little boring being stuck in the hotel all day alone. I'm happy Tim is here.

The drive down was fine...a little rainy...but fine. We had a good time. Tim and I annoyed Bobby with show tunes all the way down. We are pretty good at harmonizing together. But that's what happens when your roommate has been on Broadway...jealous?

No road trip would be complete for me without a stop at the greatest road trip cafe in the world...Cracker Barrel. God, I love that place. Now, I know we're not necessarily supposed to love that place because of workplace discrimination, but I can't help it.

Bobby's classes are at the Embassy Suites Miami Airport so that's where we are staying. Am I on the internet there though? NO! I can't pay almost thirteen dollars a day for internet access. Why can't it be free? Did we not pay enough for the room and the parking? I guess not! So Tim and I are at Panera Bread soaking up the free wifi...I just had to update...Could I drop any more corporate names in this post? I'm sure I can. I'll try.

Bobby is done at 4. We are going to head to South Beach so I can get my Art Deco/Ocean/Beautiful People/Designer Labels fix. I've never been there so I am super excited! I can't wait to take 600 pictures that no one else will want to see. It's a thrill. And so far the rain has stayed away for the afternoon.

I have more stories...especially about stupid Americans and terrified teenage Germans in the hotel pool. Surely I'll write a post about that.
I do love it here!
Chantry

Also...

2009-05-20T16:46:00.004-04:00

Sorry I keep changing my blog look. I'm really trying to decide which logo I like best. Bear with me. I love you

Chantry

p.s. Here's a pic of my roommate Tim playing softball. He's a doll.

Chantry

Paper Piecing...

2009-05-20T16:04:00.005-04:00

So, I've been paper piecing with some of the fabric Jean Martha sent me...as much as it killed me to cut into them! I'm totally experimenting with paper piecing and wondering if I really love it. I think I do. The added time to bag making will take some getting used to.

This is a square I just made with a variety of fabrics.

Here is a diagonal pieced bag I'm working on. This could be the front. Or the back. It is up to you. Bobby wanted to add a strip that didn't match at all...so we went with yellow. I like it.

Here is the front/back of the same bag. This I just sewed pieces together and then cut to the same size.I really really like the yellow added to this.

This is a bag I just finished. I had mountains of this daisy fabric that I bought in Mangum, Oklahoma last summer and only bought it because it was mega cheap. Not the best reason to buy something. But I like how it turned out. I paper pieced a couple of squares then cut them up and reassembled for the center of the bag.

Here is the whole bag. Kinda retro fun.

Chantry

Rainy Day Sewing...

2009-05-20T02:07:00.003-04:00

I've been experimenting (well, for me) with the awesome fabric Jean Martha sent me. I'll post pictures tomorrow but I just wanted to let you know about the fab fabric. It is from Sis Boom fabrics and the line is Bellbottoms. I just freaking love it. Love Love Love it.

Chantry

Logo work...

2009-05-18T18:01:00.001-04:00

So, Shannon is about the best friend with logo making skills a guy could ask for. She has designed some super cool stuff for me. I like them all...but can't decide.

Version 1.

Version 2.

What do you think? Comment and let me know what version you like. Thanks!

Chantry

It is a dreary day...

2009-05-18T15:00:00.005-04:00

And I'm not feeling motivated at all. I'm staring at all this wonderful fabric trying to figure out what to do. I need to finish a tote bag and sew a button on a clutch...so maybe I should finish those. We need the rain, but I wish it would go away. I want to be outside working in the flower beds. But I'll stop bitching. And go back to work.

Chantry

update...change of plans...going to Shakes to work on my logo with Shannon!

Chantry

Blogging and Sales

2009-05-17T03:07:00.006-04:00

I just started this whole blogging business. I really love it. What I love most about it is finding other blogs to read. I've spent so so so so many hours reading others blogs. And I love when people post their favorite blogs too. Then I get even more lost. It just keeps getting deeper and deeper and deeper...thank goodness I can swim.

I got up early today to go with Sarah, Tori, and Jeff to do a little driving around to find garage sales. Well, what a bust! We didn't find one good one! I really was on the lookout for vintage linens but um...I guess nobody parts with those or somebody already snatched them up.

We ended up at the Habitat for Humanity store. What a great place. I spent a whole 1 dollar and 60 cents on some foam tubing. Why? I'm going to make Bobby a "crotch cushion" for the bar on his bike. I have no idea what they are actually called so I'll go with "crotch cushion." I may do some paper piecing so he can have a quilted look. Will definitely be the coolest "crotch cushion" on the block. Okay, I'm done saying crotch. Sorry.

FYI...Bobby just told me they are called "top tube pads." So no more crotch cushion.

I saw these glasses at the Habitat store. I didn't buy them, but I did take a picture.

Chantry

Take me to heaven...

2009-05-15T15:53:00.003-04:00

The UPS man came today. Remember when they waited at the door for you to pick up your package? Well, the doorbell rang and 2 seconds later I was at the door. He was already headed back to his truck. Over his shoulder he yelled..."Package is on the desk." Um...ok...thanks....dude. Yes I have a desk on the patio...well it was a desk but I converted it to a potting area for my 4 plants I actually managed not to kill. Anyway...Jean Martha's package arrived and I was so happy!!!

So, I opened it immediately and pulled everything out. But then I decided I should document the process...so I repackaged everything to make it look like I wasn't crazy and just Vera from Alice'd it all over the living room. But it might make me crazier to repackage it to make it seem like I'm not crazy. Hmmmm....
But look at these fabrics! I'm dying! I'm dying!
I freaking love these fabrics... especially the toile!
And I super love this oversized print. You have to excuse the dirty rug and Roommate Tim's flip flopped toe. I'm not really great with composition.

Heaven came to me today. From upstate New York.

Chantry

It has been a couple of days...

2009-05-15T13:09:00.004-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while...but I've been a little lazy. Terribly sorry. (That last bit is said with a British accent. Let's see...what has my week been like? I'll tell you. Tuesday night was spent out at the Beacon downtown for free beer and liquor from 9 to 10. Now if you think you can't get a lot going in an hour, you haven't been out with us! The rain helped. It was a little slow, so the waiter just kept bringing drink after drink. That hour flew by! But it was fun. Or at least Bobby and Roommate Tim said I was a lot of fun. I don't remember everything.

Wednesday was dinner at Shannon's. We had incredible pasta with asparagus and peas.

Last night The Orlando International Fringe Festival began. I didn't go to anything, but it wiped me out no less! But I cooked and sewed last night. So enough babble!

I've never been big into quilting...I've done a couple of things (bags, blah blah blah) but never had an interest in really pursuing it. UNTIL...I stumbled upon Ashley from Film in the Fridge...what a great sight! And I took her paper piecing tutorial so now I'm paper piecing! I think it will make some cool bags.

I like it!

Also, I made some yummy baked lemon pasta that I found on The Pioneer Woman's site. It was so good...I'm gonna have some more in a minute!

But I had some leftover lemons and parsley so I took a picture. See that little red guy on the left? He's one of my cherry tomatoes. I'm a gardener! I'm so happy! I'm not gonna eat, just look at it and cry.

So, I made Bobby take some pictures of me sewing the other night. Why? Marketing, publicity, we were bored. All that good stuff. I didn't realize he was being artistic and taking shots in black and white. Nothing shows off colorful fabric like black and white. Kidding. I do like them.

This one is staged. Sorry. He came in to shoot right while i was finishing up. But I like it. And I like my sausage fingers. Truly they look like Vienna Sausages, don't they? Blech.
This one is real and it shows the total filth in which I sew. I'm not clean or organized. Actually, it was clean and organized a couple of weeks ago but that lasted about 1.2 seconds. Did you ever watch Alice? With Linda Lavin? Well, I always loved the opening credits when Vera had the bag of straws and they exploded all over the place. That's my life. Things look nice and then it explodes. Oh well. "There's a new girl in town!"

Chantry

Things I'm obsessed with...

2009-05-11T17:24:00.006-04:00

Number 1: These salt and pepper shakes I picked up a couple of years ago with my mom at a wholesale shop she sometimes, but not enough, goes to. They aren't vintage, just kinda vintage looking. But anyone with a big tomato head and big corn head goes right into my shopping basket. Fortunately for my roommate, big tomato/corn head items aren't that numerous.

Number 2: A girl named Jean Martha. Her blog is hot. I look at it 1,000 times daily. It is bordering on creepdom.

Number 3: Gardenia....Donna cut some last night and put them on the kitchen island. I could've smelled them all night long.

Number 4: Vintage linens....great bags. Very happy.

Number 5: My new store. Why haven't you been there yet? There are new products!

Chantry

I've been naughty...

2009-05-11T16:31:00.002-04:00

So, I was returning a movie to the video store...The Curious Case of Benjamin Button...its great. Does Cate Blanchett ever give a bad performance? I love her...anyway...I decided to pop by an antique store I'd never been to. Well, I found some cute linens to make bags out of.

Cute, huh? There were lots more but I restrained.

I also found some fabulous buttons. There was a big jar full of great vintage buttons, but I couldn't bring myself to spend 35 dollars on them. So I bought a cheaper bag instead.

All fabulous...all in great shape. I'm super happy.

Bye

Chantry

My tomatoes

2009-05-11T13:48:00.004-04:00

So, I have a cherry tomato plant. And I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for those suckers to turn red. Well, FINALLY! I have (had) three. I ate one. It was so so so good. And the other two went to Donna (Bobby's mom) for mother's day. Don't ask why I gave them to her, but I think homegrown anything is a good gift!

Yummy!

Chantry

Oh Mommy...

2009-05-10T14:14:00.007-04:00

You are amazing. Amazingly beautiful. Amazingly funny. Amazingly sassy. Just really amazing. I'm serious.

You are so cute! I can't get over you! I'm so happy you are my mom...so so so happy

Aren't you happy you gave birth to this?

Happy Mother's Day! I love you

Chantry

My New Store!!!!

2009-05-07T19:33:00.004-04:00

Hey everyone! You can now purchase me online! Well, not me, but my bags and whatnot! How are excited are you? How excited am I? Click here to check it out.

http://www.1000markets.com/shops/chabanks

Here I am, waiting for you to check it out!

Chantry

Performing...

2009-05-06T21:22:00.004-04:00

with Erika "Little Edie" Wilhite tonight at a bizarre outdoor art event. Scary huh?

Chantry

Don't....

2009-05-06T16:16:00.000-04:00

be a bully. Ever.

A Young Noble

2009-05-06T14:27:00.002-04:00

So, Bobby and his sister, Christinky, had oil portraits done when they were both 7. Here is Bobby's. The only difference between then and now is he is much taller. Still adorable. Still rotten to the core.

Cinco de Mayo...a day late.

2009-05-06T13:26:00.006-04:00

So, the day started out innocently enough. I needed some velcro for my bags so I went to Jo-Ann for some. Well, of course I can never just get one thing so I ended up getting some Greek scroll style sequin trim. Did I need it? No, but I can never pass up sequins....ever.

See, it is pretty.

I really forgot that it was the 5th of May until Bobby reminded me. We were going to head up to his mom's so he could clean out and detail his big truck. I was tagging along because I enjoy hanging out at the "big" house. While cleaning out his truck before we left, Bobby broke a pair of sunglasses. So we took a picture.

If you are curious, his shirt is a concert shirt from one of his favorite artists, William Elliott Whitmore. Check him out. so good. (I'm kinda glad those glasses broke anyway...they are little skater dude-ish for me.)

The backyard at Donna and Jason's is heaven. You would love it. Isn't this orange flower pretty? And I'm glad the pic turned out okay too.

And the Gardenia! Oh man, we could smell it pulling into the driveway! It smelled so good. Donna has huge bushes of it and I wanted to crawl in there and sleep. But there were bees, so I didn't.

But I did swim!

Yes, I'm debuting my "Britney Spears" hairdo for you right now. And shirtless at that, you are lucky. So I did my hair with my beard trimmer, meaning it took almost 3 hours to get the hotness that you see before you. Go take a cold shower now. I know you need to.

Later, Roommate Tim met us back in Orlando at Graffiti Junktion for burgers, fries, and beer. Bobby took this pic. And I thought it was a good contrast to the hotness above. Nothing is less sexy than seeing me stuff my face with fries. Why do I never have any pics of Tim? He's just too beautiful for the camera to truly capture...sadly. I'll try to get him playing softball in the next couple of weeks.

To end the evening...Bobby lights his hand on fire. We all have too much to drink. And we all go home, crawling into bed sometime after 3am. I'm getting too old for this. Happy 6th of May!

Chantry

And another bag...

2009-05-05T14:34:00.004-04:00

You are shocked, I know, that I would post another pic of another bag. But what can I do? It is pretty much what this blog is about. Bags. Life. A Bearded Guy that Sews? That's what its all about.

I like this bag though. I have no idea what it originally was. It was a rectangle that had been quilted. The batting is quite thick in places, so maybe it was a hot pad at one time. But now it is one of ChaBanks repurposed bags. I hope you like it.

I really love that block of green in a sea of pink and white. Totally makes me happy.

Remember when I was talking about the Fiesta full of pins? Here is the pin cushion that feels a little sad and alone now that he only has a few pins in him. But look at all that thread that has gotten wrapped and stuck on him? How could anyone be sad with all that around them? Unless they were being strangled by it. That might be sad. Later!

Chantry

More vintage!

2009-05-04T15:56:00.004-04:00

I told you all that I've been going crazy with all the linens that came in the mom box. Here's a tote bag that I just completed (just the outside, not totally finished). The center section is an old rooster dish towel (I believe it is French) and the outside is a vintage plaid fabric.

I didn't have of the plaid to do the whole back, so I cut it into 4" strips and then did the same with the leftover towel. I ended up wasting a bit of the towel because I wanted to get those chickens and roosters in the strips...I like how it turned out.

And I was getting tired of pulling and putting back pins in the pin cushion and I don't have one of those nice magnetic pin holders, so I just threw the pins on one of my Fiesta saucers...I liked the look so much, I took a picture.

P.S. I've decided to hold off on cutting that chenille blanket for right now....I slept under it last night and it was nice and light. So, you are safe for now, chenille!

Fresh Veggies...

2009-05-03T23:12:00.003-04:00

In my opinion, nothing is better than garden fresh vegetables (except owning a ChaBanks bag). Tonight at Sarah, Tori, and Jeff's, I picked some radishes and beans out of their garden. And would you believe they let me take home my bounty?! I would also have two strawberries, but Bazil the naughty dog ate those! I hope he enjoyed them. I'm also so jealous that their tomatoes are turning and mine are still green as can be. But Sarah cut up the ripe cherry tomato into 7 pieces so we could all enjoy. And it was good! And quite a feat to cut a cherry tomato into 7 pieces, if you ask me.

I just washed the radishes and beans. Aren't they pretty?

I think they look pretty swell in the red colander too.

Chenille Blanket.

2009-05-03T08:01:00.003-04:00

So, in the box that Mom sent: a really pretty vintage chenille blanket. The problem....lots of tears and holes in it. They can be easily patched, but I'm real tempted to cut it up like a bearded mad man and make a million little bags out of it. Will vintage bedding enthusiasts get a rope and hang me if I do cut it up???? Help me out here.

I don't know why...but its kinda funny.

2009-05-03T07:56:00.004-04:00

I don't know why we thought it would be funny to wrap ourselves up in sheets and quilts and take pictures with The Bobby's iphone, but we did...Another question is this: Why am I even uploading them here?

Actually he looks good in the sheet.
This is my standard super model face....it works pretty well surrounded by the antique quilt. I need a haircut though.

Going back to totes...

2009-05-02T16:52:00.003-04:00

It has been a while since I made a tote...clutches are little easier and take a little less time. But I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make a tote out of a vintage apron that my mom sent yesterday. I just cut off the tie part of the apron. The handles and lining are made of another vintage fabric my mom sent. I also left the apron pockets on the outside. I thought this would be a good bag to take shopping and you could toss your keys or phone in the pockets.

I love red, green, and yellow together.

Here's a detail of the chickens. Cute!

Repurposing

2009-05-01T18:03:00.005-04:00

I always enjoy getting packages in the mail...usually from my mom. She sends the best packages. Well, it just got even better. Mom is in the early stages of moving and is cleaning out the closets. Her loss? My gain! Well today I got a great big package of vintage fabric, aprons, doilies, and more. Great stuff to repurpose into bags. The best piece in the box was a vintage table runner that is flanked on either side by a young woman in a gown. Well, those young ladies are now two separate ChaBanks bags. I think they look just wonderful. Judge for yourself.

Here is a full view of one of the bags. Isn't she pretty. I love the floral look of the dress. And I like that the dress hangs over the edge of the bag. I didn't line them or anything. Just cut the runner in half, sew up the raw edges and sew the sides together. I love it!

Here's a close up of the young lady on the bag. Great detail! Don't you think?

Here is a back view. There is even great detail running up both sides. I'm so thankful for my mom! Do you like them? Well comment then!

Sorry....

2009-05-01T13:56:00.001-04:00

if you were trying to read and love The House of ChaBanks this morning. Looks like they've fixed whatever problem it was! Yay.

Experiments gone bad...and a surprise.

2009-04-30T20:39:00.003-04:00

So, I'm trying to get myself away from sewing just square bags....it will take some getting used to, but I'm trying. So I thought I'd try a curve in my bags. One disaster, one that seems to work.

We'll start out with a regular ole square bag that I just made...the only difference is that I used an old kerchief (who says that?). Instead of it being around my neck...it might end up in someone's hand.

BUT

Here is the disaster. Ready?

I wanted to curve the bottom, but it ended up looking like a pair of panties. A combination of the fabric and the shape just makes it look like a pair of granny panties....so sad.

It gets better from here.

I put a curve in the top of the bag...I like it much much more.

Here's another view of it. I'm really liking the look.

A show you must see...

2009-04-29T22:51:00.004-04:00

At Orlando Fringe Fest....a show for which I'm doing costumes.

It stars my friend Erika Wilhite and she is fabulous.

SHUT UP!

2009-04-29T19:00:00.007-04:00

So, man oh man! The Bobby gave me the biggest surprise today! He rolled into the house with this shirt on! Couldn't you just die?

Ladies and gents, its a House of ChaBanks t-shirt! Are you kidding me? He had it made at Mother Falcon...the most awesome t-shirt making store in town! They use American Apparel shirts...Isn't it yummy? What a doll! p.s. the sewing machine even has "Sarah" on it! You know, the name of my machine?

In sadder news...my flower bed is ruined! So you know that beautiful greenyness that showed up in my pics of bags yesterday? Well it now looks like this:

And yes, that is a ruined sunflower! The lawn guys came this morning and I walked outside and saw the massacre that is the flower bed. They came over when they saw (almost tears) me a little upset and I asked what happened...Their response? "We weren't paying attention." Damn. I'm sad about the sunflowers...real sad.

But no matter how bad life seems....there are always some sequins around. Amen.

Finished bags...

2009-04-28T14:22:00.005-04:00

The Bobby figured out some better settings on the camera....that's why I love him.

So...without further ado, here are some finished ChaBanks Bags!!!!

Aren't these pics 1 million times better than mine?

I even like the shadowy pic...

Pretty...the pic, not the bag....I'm not a bragger(!!!!).

But this is one of my favorite bags....(bragging)

The Bobby really loves this one.

And this one...I'm still pissed I didn't center that damn pattern!

Frida says hi. This is a matchbox decorated with Frida Kahlo my mom picked up somewhere on her travels...I love Frida Kahlo and I may just have figured out why. I share a birthday with Frida's lover, husband, ex-husband, husband again Diego Rivera. Awesome huh?

Design...

2009-04-28T12:46:00.005-04:00

This morning, Erika "Little Edie" Wilhite and I met up to pick out pattern, fabric, and trims for her Fringe show, Patient X: something something something (I know that as designer, I should know the whole name of the show, but its long and escapes me now. Sue me). She picked me up in the convertible (We're so Florida) and we stopped for a coffee at Drunken Monkey (I had a vanilla latte, whole milk, thank you). (Why am I writing everything as side notes?) (I don't know.) Anyway, I'm making a pair of bloomers for her crazy character...no really the character is in an asylum. Concept involves some showmanship and razzle-dazzle, so there had to be sequins. Here's the fabric and trims...

I love the gold sequin elastic trim we got....really makes me happy. But anything with sequins does.

So, I could pretend that I wanted the focus to be of the things in the back, but I really just wanted a good pic of the gold sequin trim...but I couldn't get it....so actually let's pretend we care more about white lace trim, red trim, red flowers, and red thread....I feel better don't you?

So we're a little obsessed...

2009-04-27T14:39:00.003-04:00

With the 16 picture function on the camera. This isn't a sewing post, but do you really care? I don't. The Bobby and I just have fun taking these pics.

The Bobby didn't realize that just the night before I also took pictures of light with no flash (see previous blog). He's such a copycat.

The great thing about this function is that you will get some truly unflattering pics of people...Case in point? My pics above.

Or no matter how unflattering the pics...someone always manages to look amazing...That damn kid. The Bobby always looks good....even if he doesn't believe.

If you are wondering...I doubt you are...but my cam is a Nikon Coolpix...you know...the Ashton Kutcher camera...which is how mom described to the Target guy when buying it for me and my sister at Christmas...Sadly, he knew exactly what my mom was talking about. It's purple...which is cool.

Bag in production.

2009-04-26T19:06:00.004-04:00

This guy is kinda weird, but I like him....I'm enjoying using the scraps. It has an orange lining. But I wish now I had centered the damn pattern on the top piece....I'm kinda pissed at myself.

This is random, but I love this function on my camera. It takes 16 pictures in sequence and then creates one big photo collage of it. Loves it. Btw, its my dash in my car at night with no flash

I found an online market...

2009-04-26T06:17:00.002-04:00

This might be the place to try and sell some bags. We'll see...I'm going to set up a shop and see how it goes...check it out

www.1000markets.com

its super cool

Also, my favorite blog in the world...

www.thepioneerwoman.com

2009-04-25T16:33:00.001-04:00

Rest in Peace, Bea Arthur.

One of my all time favorite comediennes.

We'll miss you.

Jennie's Birthday

2009-04-25T16:15:00.005-04:00

We all had a wonderful time at Jennie's "surprise" birthday party last night...It was supposed to be a bigger surprise than it was, but she was still surprised. So I guess little surprise is better than no surprise. Okay, I'm not typing surprise anymore today. Thanks.

Who was there? I bet you are just dying to know. Let's see. Jennie, Hank, Erika, Jamie, Shannon, Bangs (or Sarah), The Bobby, a couple of guys whose names I didn't catch, and yours truly. I gave Jennie a ChaBanks bag for the big day (she'd been wanting one for ages) but I didn't have any wrapping paper, so I wrapped it in a scarf. She liked both! And a Frida Kahlo notecard that had to make do as a birthday card. But I think Frida Kahlo just screams Happy Birthday!, don't you?

Here's Jennie with the Big/Little Polka Dot bag. The little polka dot is inside the bag. Yeah, it is a big blue button with blue stitching around the top...I like the contrast. That's Erika on the left, who is quickly becoming a little too Little Edie Beale for my taste. (I'll get worried if raccoons start living in her house.)

Erika made me wear this hat last night. I was a little upset because I thought my hair was smokin' hot, but she insisted. I felt ridiculous, but everyone said it looked great with the new shirt The Bobby bought me. Erika thought I looked real cute, but she really just needed someone with a giant head to stretch the hat out for her. I'm on to her. And she knows it.